On Tuesday, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., presented his 2015 budget proposal. The Senate Democrats did not provide any such proposal; President Barack Obama's proposal posited an unending federal deficit and massive tax increases. Ryan's proposal, by contrast, lowered the rate of increase of spending moderately (by $5.1 trillion over the next decade), struck Obamacare from the rolls, and suggested revamps to Social Security and Medicare. This was possibly the dumbest thing Ryan could have done.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., immediately jumped on the budget proposal, suggesting that Ryan's budget came from "Kochtopia," and that it had been produced in reality by the nefarious Koch brothers. The former Clinton administration secretary of labor called the budget "cruel and unusual punishment." Ryan, Democrats claimed, was mean, nasty, heartless, brutal.

The same day Ryan laid out his blueprint for spending, Obama and his minions claimed victory for Obamacare, trumpeting their fudged sign-up numbers for the Affordable Care Act. "7.1 million Americans have now signed up for private insurance plans through these market places! 7.1! Yep!" Obama blustered. Never mind the fact that Obama had canceled some 5 million health care plans and then threatened people with fines for failing to repurchase under Obamacare; never mind the fact that the administration would not release numbers on how many Americans had paid for Obamacare; never mind that well under 1 million Americans who previously lacked health insurance took advantage of the Obamacare exchanges to get into the market. Obama had wanted his 7 million; now he had his 7 million.

Republicans reacted with predictable confusion and outrage. They suggested -- rightly -- that Obama had "cooked the books." They complained that sign-up numbers did not justify the entire overthrow of the health insurance system. And Obama, the man who canceled plans, doctors and drugs for millions of Americans, responded thusly: "Why are folks working so hard for people not to have health insurance?"

This is why Republicans will lose in 2016.

Democrats understand the art of narrative. Republicans do not. Republicans would rather have Ryan wave around a 100-page budget backed by all the stats. Democrats would rather point at Ryan and say he hates children. Americans don't have time to read 100-page budgets. Case closed.

Republicans would rather complain about each and every aspect of Obamacare. They enjoy debunking Obama's falsified statistics and singling out his corruption of data. Democrats would prefer to point at those Republicans and suggest that they don't care enough about poor, sick children. Americans don't have time to wade through media falsehoods or read beyond the headlines. Case closed.

In 2016, the Democratic Party will nominate Hillary Clinton. Her narrative has already been written by the media: starry-eyed young Republican turned disenchanted leftist seeking honesty and accountability in government; wronged woman married to a charming rogue, victimized by a viciously sexist right-wing conspiracy; first lady, senator, jet-setting secretary of state; elderly grandmother called once more to public service by her ailing country. You can all but hear the music swell and the slow clap begin as she steps to the microphone.

What, precisely, is the Republican narrative? Is it Ryan's CPA-style approach to government management? Is it Chris Christie's government-as-huggable-friend Hurricane Sandy routine? Is it Jeb Bush's riches-to-riches story?

Republicans continue to lose because Republicans get distracted from story by information. Democrats continue to win because they never let information get in the way of a good story. Until Republicans figure that simple truth out, no amount of truth will put a Republican back in the Oval Office.

-- Ben Shapiro, 30, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, a radio host on KTTH 770 Seattle and KRLA 870 Los Angeles, Editor-in-Chief of TruthRevolt.org, and Senior Editor-at-Large of Breitbart News. He is the New York Times bestselling author of "Bullies: How the Left's Culture of Fear and Intimidation Silences America." He lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles.

I agree Ben nails it here. Repubs can make all the logical, statistical, valid arguments they want, but Americans don’t respond to that type of message. They respond to “my opponent wants you to starve, because he’s going to take that government check from you.”

Americans, sadly, aren’t that interested in arcane ideals such as liberty, self-determination or rugged individualism. They want to know if the gravy train is going to keep on rolling, and anyone who attempts to stop it is evil.

15
posted on 04/02/2014 9:41:06 AM PDT
by ScottinVA
(Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)

RE :”This is why Republicans will lose in 2016. Democrats understand the art of narrative. Republicans do not. Republicans would rather have Ryan wave around a 100-page budget backed by all the stats. Democrats would rather point at Ryan and say he hates children. Americans don't have time to read 100-page budgets. Case closed. “

OK, yesterday I posted a thread on Ryan's newst rehashed fictional budget resolution, and I have a similar point.

What was Ryan's point in this(his) show on this? especially with this show of nothing? (his resolution scam)

He touted this same crap in early 2011, then again in 2012 and then he lost with Romney, then again in early 2013, and now again,

There already is a real budget in place (in law) with his (Paul Ryan's) and Patty Murray's name on it.

Are we really supposed to rally to Ryan just because on MSNBC they are once again complaining about Ryan's newest rehashed fiction budget resolution? (Yes I know it worked with many here in 2011 , but not with me, and then with some suckers again in 2013m, but jeeze)

I agree with the author. Republicans never learn.

37
posted on 04/02/2014 9:53:45 AM PDT
by sickoflibs
(Obama : 'You can keep your doctor if you want. I never tell a lie ')

The GOP does not understand the art of communications. The consultant class does not have a clue as to how to reach the American people.

The American people are going to elect Hillary because the economy has been pumped up, people are not hungry and scared. In 1980 inflation was out of control and jobs were scarce. The people were afraid so they went for Reagan. This time, everything to then according to the press is hunky dory and Oblahblah is doing just great.

Hopefully it will be Ted Cruz with a copy of the Constitution in one hand and a Bible in the other.

Unfortunately, a significant portion of the GOP will fight that tooth and nail, and do all they can to subvert such a candidacy. For them it would be the beginning of them getting the scraps while Conservatives had a seat at the table.

They are getting fat just fine with the status quo, so why support the shift?

39
posted on 04/02/2014 9:55:47 AM PDT
by Smokin' Joe
(How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)

Let’s say we win the senate handily in 2014. 2016-we concentrate on getting to 60 even with her in the W.H. All we will have to do is put pressure on those Rats who are up in 2018 to counter balance the Rinos. The country will be run by the folks in congress. Will they call it political rape? Not with the hildibeast in charge.

40
posted on 04/02/2014 9:56:35 AM PDT
by DIRTYSECRET
(urope. Why do they put up with this.)

“Understand your forces and understand your opponents and in one hundred battles you will not be defeated.”

We still don’t understand the power of fear.

“Yes, the Democrats want to give you free things, but there is no more free stuff to give. If you vote for the Democrats, they will destroy everything. You will receive nothing. The Republicans want to build the country back up. Then, there might be some help for people in trouble. With the Democrats, there will be nothing. You will be out in the street trying to catch cats to eat.”

44
posted on 04/02/2014 10:01:30 AM PDT
by blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer")

Democrats focus on narrative because they own the media. Republicans have to hammer back, but it’s an uphill slog. Ocare is part of the message, but I would give at least equal attention to un/underemployment, and pitch that hard to the millenials and minorities. “Obama has stolen your future” is not a hard message to sell, given the realities. “Obama” has grown Medicaid, food stamps and disability, but he’s shrunk jobs” is also not hard to sell.

I agree Ben nails it here. Repubs can make all the logical, statistical, valid arguments they want, but Americans dont respond to that type of message. They respond to my opponent wants you to starve, because hes going to take that government check from you.

You got it. Gov handouts. Ya can't beat it along with total corruption. The idiot that can't name a US senator or how many there are has a same vote as we do. I'm sure we can see the next prez - the Hildabeast or Jeb. That outcome is assured to go dem.

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